FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards recently selected Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort’s Zenith Steakhouse to again receive its Award of Excellence. Winning restaurants hail from all 50 states and over 75 countries and territories.
“We are honored to be recognized by the world’s leading expert on wine for the caliber of culinary experience we’ve created here at Zenith Steakhouse,” said John James, CEO of Navajo Gaming. “Our Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise and Twin Arrows Directors of Food and Dining and their teams have worked tirelessly to create offer exquisite food and wine pairings, including our famous Navajo beef, that will attract national and international guests to experience Navajo cuisine and culture at our four-diamond resort, Twin Arrows.”
Wine Spectator’s annual awards recognize restaurants whose wine lists offer interesting selections, are appropriate to their cuisine, and appeal to a wide range of wine lovers. Additionally, Award of Excellence winners offer a well-chosen selection of at least 90 quality producers that match the restaurant’s menu in both price and style.
“It’s an incredible honor for my team’s passion and commitment to excellence,” said F. Rick Pedram, Food and Beverage Director of Twin Arrows. “Twin Arrows offers the largest wine selection in northern Arizona. The wine list smoothly integrates with our menu in both pairings and theming.”
While only required to offer 90 selections as an Award of Excellence recipient, Zenith Steakhouse serves more than 150 hand-procured wines including new- and old-world favorites, as well as selections from Australia, South Africa, Italy, France and California. Additionally, Zenith Steakhouse features many unusual Arizona wines or hidden local gems that wine aficionados can’t find anywhere else.
Zenith Steakhouse’s wine is offered at half off to guests on Wednesday, Thursdays and Sundays. Additionally, Twin Arrows guests enjoy weekly complimentary wine tastings.
Navajo beef is also featured at Twin Arrows Resort, as well as available at Fire Rock Navajo Casino, Northern Edge Navajo Casino and Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort’s four other dining venues.
“We are proud to partner with local ranchers and improve their quality of life in conjunction with Labatt and our Navajo Nation leadership team,” said James. “The Navajo Beef Program is part of our larger commitment to ‘buy Navajo’ and allows our properties to better showcase world-class Navajo cuisine to the world while generating much-needed revenue and jobs for the Navajo people.”
Zenith Steakhouse is Twin Arrow’s flagship restaurant. Its exhibition kitchen, fireplace and menu put a progressive twist on the traditional. Zenith serves the highest quality source-verified Navajo beef – USDA Inspected Premium Prime Grade, aged 35 days – and sustainable seafood paired with seasonal and regional produce to create exquisite steaks, chops, fish and shellfish entrees.
The architecture and décor of the restaurant were inspired by the high nest of the eagle. Its stone walls evoke the cliffs where eagles build their nests and sculptural birch branches create intimate dining zones. Custom light fixtures are woven from silver branches in the style of eagle nests. A Hogan ceiling is also replicated at the entryway portal.